Six children in the west of Scotland have sustained severe burns over the past eight months after heating popular squishy toys in microwaves, according to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
Medical professionals report that pressure builds up inside the toys during heating, causing them to explode and release a hot internal gel that adheres to human skin.
Online videos demonstrating the practice to make the toys softer have fueled the dangerous trend.
Parents Share Their Experiences
Gina, the mother of 11-year-old victim Scarlet Rowe from Irvine, explained that the family initially failed to recognize the severity of the injury following an incident in May.
"We didn't realise what had happened at first, it just looked like slime on her face.
It was only after a few minutes we realised it had been heated and was burning her skin," said Gina.
The physical impact on the young girl's face became rapidly visible as severe inflammation developed.
"The swelling was so bad that we weren't sure what the outcome would be," said Gina.
Although the injuries were severe and located near vital areas, the child managed to avoid surgical skin intervention.
"Thankfully, no graft was required but it is so close to her eye that this could have been a lot worse," said Gina.
Another parent, Stephanie Ewing from Clackmannanshire, recounted how her eight-year-old son Joseph Erskine required extensive medical care and a skin graft after a toy ruptured across his body in May.
"He was saying that his squishy burnt him and we initially thought he meant a chemical burn.
Then he told us that he had put it in the microwave," said Stephanie Ewing.
The family was completely caught off guard by the boy's actions, given his lack of experience with kitchen appliances.
"We were shocked as it had never crossed our minds that he would do that with a toy.
He has never used the microwave before," said Stephanie Ewing.
The appliance had remained active from previous use, allowing the incident to occur instantly.
"One of us had heated something earlier and so the clock was already set at 40 seconds. Joseph just hit start," said Stephanie Ewing.
The injured boy had to undergo a surgical graft using skin taken from his thigh to treat his chest and must avoid direct sunlight on the area for two years.
Medical Warning
Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children, expressed deep concern regarding the increasing frequency of these specific pediatric admissions.
"Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing number of children with preventable injuries linked to this trend," said Ramsay.
Medical staff detailed the precise mechanism that leads to these deep dermal injuries.
"When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns," said Ramsay.
The healthcare professional emphasized that recovery from these incidents often involves intensive medical procedures.
"These injuries can be very serious and may require long-term treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation," said Ramsay.
The hospital concluded its warning by highlighting the potential for lifelong physical reminders and calling for adult intervention.
"In some cases, children are left with permanent scarring. We strongly urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks," said Ramsay.
